Objective: To assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi.
Methods: Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.
Results: Ocimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. MIC and MFC were high with water fraction (200 μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.
Conclusions: Ocimum sanctum has antifungal activity, and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.
Copyright © 2011 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.